You are here

Stoke and West Ham battling for French defender

Stoke and West Ham are battling to secure the signature of Olympiakos defender Claude Dielna.

Mark Hughes is keen to strengthen his squad in January and has been linked with a move for the Frenchman.

But he will have to act fast if he wants to sign him as reports in France suggest that Sam Allardyce is also considering a move for the 26-year-old.

The West Ham manager has wasted no time in the transfer market bringing in Roger Johnson from Wolves, but he is determined to ease the crippling injury crisis at the club and bring in fresh faces in January.

Dielna, who is currently on loan with French side Ajaccio, would relish the chance to play in the Premier League and is hoping to finalise his long-term future in the next few weeks.